Every year thousands of motorists opt to take a Speed Awareness Course after being caught speeding. Hilarie Stelfox was one of them and discovered that education is more thought-provoking than punishment.

Every year thousands of motorists opt to take a Speed Awareness Course after being caught speeding. Hilarie Stelfox was one of them and discovered that education is more thought-provoking than punishment.

Every year thousands of motorists opt to take a Speed Awareness Course after being caught speeding. Hilarie Stelfox was one of them and discovered that education is more thought-provoking than punishment.

MY DAUGHTER was with me when the safety camera (more commonly known as speed camera) flashed.

MY DAUGHTER was with me when the safety camera (more commonly known as speed camera) flashed.

MY DAUGHTER was with me when the safety camera (more commonly known as speed camera) flashed.

She was as surprised as I was.

She was as surprised as I was.

She was as surprised as I was.

“You weren’t going very fast, mum,’’ she noted. And I had to agree.

“You weren’t going very fast, mum,’’ she noted. And I had to agree.

“You weren’t going very fast, mum,’’ she noted. And I had to agree.

But the letter that arrived from West Yorkshire Police the following week pointing out that I had, in fact, been doing 36mph on a section of road with a 30mph limit.

But the letter that arrived from West Yorkshire Police the following week pointing out that I had, in fact, been doing 36mph on a section of road with a 30mph limit.

But the letter that arrived from West Yorkshire Police the following week pointing out that I had, in fact, been doing 36mph on a section of road with a 30mph limit.

It’s all too easy, isn’t it, to clock up those extra few mph without realising? I’d simply been coasting along in a stream of traffic chatting to my daughter.

It’s all too easy, isn’t it, to clock up those extra few mph without realising? I’d simply been coasting along in a stream of traffic chatting to my daughter.

It’s all too easy, isn’t it, to clock up those extra few mph without realising? I’d simply been coasting along in a stream of traffic chatting to my daughter.

And 36mph isn’t very fast, is it?

And 36mph isn’t very fast, is it?

And 36mph isn’t very fast, is it?

My initial reaction to the threat of a court hearing, £60 fine and three points on my licence was, if I’m totally honest, one of irritation. All that for a measly six miles over the limit.

My initial reaction to the threat of a court hearing, £60 fine and three points on my licence was, if I’m totally honest, one of irritation. All that for a measly six miles over the limit.

My initial reaction to the threat of a court hearing, £60 fine and three points on my licence was, if I’m totally honest, one of irritation. All that for a measly six miles over the limit.

As a first offender, however, I was offered an alternative. I could pay the £60 to go on a Speed Awareness Course and avoid any damage to my licence.

As a first offender, however, I was offered an alternative. I could pay the £60 to go on a Speed Awareness Course and avoid any damage to my licence.

As a first offender, however, I was offered an alternative. I could pay the £60 to go on a Speed Awareness Course and avoid any damage to my licence.

It seemed like the best option. An option that I discovered had been taken up already by a number of people I knew, including my brother. “Oh yes,’’ he said, “I went on one of those, it was quite interesting.’’

It seemed like the best option. An option that I discovered had been taken up already by a number of people I knew, including my brother. “Oh yes,’’ he said, “I went on one of those, it was quite interesting.’’

It seemed like the best option. An option that I discovered had been taken up already by a number of people I knew, including my brother. “Oh yes,’’ he said, “I went on one of those, it was quite interesting.’’

Driver Improvement courses began 13 years ago and are now available all over the country. This summer a national database of courses went live so that ‘offenders’ can pinpoint their nearest venue. Kirklees Council organises courses for this area and has a website that would-be ‘students’ are invited to peruse to find a suitable time and place.

Driver Improvement courses began 13 years ago and are now available all over the country. This summer a national database of courses went live so that ‘offenders’ can pinpoint their nearest venue. Kirklees Council organises courses for this area and has a website that would-be ‘students’ are invited to peruse to find a suitable time and place.

Driver Improvement courses began 13 years ago and are now available all over the country. This summer a national database of courses went live so that ‘offenders’ can pinpoint their nearest venue. Kirklees Council organises courses for this area and has a website that would-be ‘students’ are invited to peruse to find a suitable time and place.

And so it was that I found myself sitting in a room at the Days Hotel in Wakefield with 30 or so other miscreants.

And so it was that I found myself sitting in a room at the Days Hotel in Wakefield with 30 or so other miscreants.

And so it was that I found myself sitting in a room at the Days Hotel in Wakefield with 30 or so other miscreants.

Our hosts for the four-hour session (this is no lightweight option) were two driving instructors, Janet and Barry, who delivered their material with a certain showmanship and practised no-nonsense authority.

Our hosts for the four-hour session (this is no lightweight option) were two driving instructors, Janet and Barry, who delivered their material with a certain showmanship and practised no-nonsense authority.

Our hosts for the four-hour session (this is no lightweight option) were two driving instructors, Janet and Barry, who delivered their material with a certain showmanship and practised no-nonsense authority.

I think it’s safe to say that most of us began the session feeling slightly resentful. Some people looked downright sullen. It transpired that the majority, like myself, had been caught in 30mph limit areas and had not been doing a Lewis Hamilton.

I think it’s safe to say that most of us began the session feeling slightly resentful. Some people looked downright sullen. It transpired that the majority, like myself, had been caught in 30mph limit areas and had not been doing a Lewis Hamilton.

I think it’s safe to say that most of us began the session feeling slightly resentful. Some people looked downright sullen. It transpired that the majority, like myself, had been caught in 30mph limit areas and had not been doing a Lewis Hamilton.

But, as our hosts informed us, it is in precisely such zones that pedestrians are most vulnerable and where most road traffic fatalities occur and where are children most likely to be knocked down and injured. Yes, that’s right, outside their own homes in residential streets with 30pmh limits.

But, as our hosts informed us, it is in precisely such zones that pedestrians are most vulnerable and where most road traffic fatalities occur and where are children most likely to be knocked down and injured. Yes, that’s right, outside their own homes in residential streets with 30pmh limits.

But, as our hosts informed us, it is in precisely such zones that pedestrians are most vulnerable and where most road traffic fatalities occur and where are children most likely to be knocked down and injured. Yes, that’s right, outside their own homes in residential streets with 30pmh limits.

To impress this upon us we were shown shocking footage of a child being run over outside a school – captured by a school caretaker trying out a new video camera – and two emotional films featuring parents who lost children because of a speeding driver. It was a sobering and chastening experience.

To impress this upon us we were shown shocking footage of a child being run over outside a school – captured by a school caretaker trying out a new video camera – and two emotional films featuring parents who lost children because of a speeding driver. It was a sobering and chastening experience.

To impress this upon us we were shown shocking footage of a child being run over outside a school – captured by a school caretaker trying out a new video camera – and two emotional films featuring parents who lost children because of a speeding driver. It was a sobering and chastening experience.

We wore badges with our names so that the instructors could ask us questions and were divided up into groups to consider the possible consequences of speeding.

We wore badges with our names so that the instructors could ask us questions and were divided up into groups to consider the possible consequences of speeding.

We wore badges with our names so that the instructors could ask us questions and were divided up into groups to consider the possible consequences of speeding.

“Getting caught and ending up here,’’ said one bright spark, the classroom joker, who confessed, without shame, to doing 85mph on a 60mph limit road with his kids in the back of the car.

“Getting caught and ending up here,’’ said one bright spark, the classroom joker, who confessed, without shame, to doing 85mph on a 60mph limit road with his kids in the back of the car.

“Getting caught and ending up here,’’ said one bright spark, the classroom joker, who confessed, without shame, to doing 85mph on a 60mph limit road with his kids in the back of the car.

“I had to do 80mph on the motorway to get here in time,’’ he added, unrepentantly and was later prompted to reveal that he’d attended a previous course for ‘drunken drivers.’

“I had to do 80mph on the motorway to get here in time,’’ he added, unrepentantly and was later prompted to reveal that he’d attended a previous course for ‘drunken drivers.’

“I had to do 80mph on the motorway to get here in time,’’ he added, unrepentantly and was later prompted to reveal that he’d attended a previous course for ‘drunken drivers.’

His reason for speeding, he said, was a family crisis. He didn’t get as much sympathy as he was probably hoping for.

His reason for speeding, he said, was a family crisis. He didn’t get as much sympathy as he was probably hoping for.

His reason for speeding, he said, was a family crisis. He didn’t get as much sympathy as he was probably hoping for.

Between us we could think of a lot of reasons why people speed, but lack of concentration emerged as the number one, followed by complacency.

Between us we could think of a lot of reasons why people speed, but lack of concentration emerged as the number one, followed by complacency.

Between us we could think of a lot of reasons why people speed, but lack of concentration emerged as the number one, followed by complacency.

The consequences are, of course, potential loss of life and devastation for those left behind. Our irritation began to turn into something else, humility and a greater awareness of the fact that we are all driving around in lethal weapons. Drivers, said our instructors, have been found to concentrate fully for only one third of the time they are behind the wheel. The rest of the time we are on auto-pilot. To get around this problem they suggest a technique called ‘commentary driving’, which means talking to yourself and describing the journey as you go along – be your own sat nav, in other words.

The consequences are, of course, potential loss of life and devastation for those left behind. Our irritation began to turn into something else, humility and a greater awareness of the fact that we are all driving around in lethal weapons. Drivers, said our instructors, have been found to concentrate fully for only one third of the time they are behind the wheel. The rest of the time we are on auto-pilot. To get around this problem they suggest a technique called ‘commentary driving’, which means talking to yourself and describing the journey as you go along – be your own sat nav, in other words.

The consequences are, of course, potential loss of life and devastation for those left behind. Our irritation began to turn into something else, humility and a greater awareness of the fact that we are all driving around in lethal weapons. Drivers, said our instructors, have been found to concentrate fully for only one third of the time they are behind the wheel. The rest of the time we are on auto-pilot. To get around this problem they suggest a technique called ‘commentary driving’, which means talking to yourself and describing the journey as you go along – be your own sat nav, in other words.

Like the widely-held belief that young drivers are the most dangerous and do most of the speeding.

Like the widely-held belief that young drivers are the most dangerous and do most of the speeding.

Like the widely-held belief that young drivers are the most dangerous and do most of the speeding.

“In fact,’’ said Barry, “Younger drivers are a lot safer and better educated but they don’t have the experience.’’

“In fact,’’ said Barry, “Younger drivers are a lot safer and better educated but they don’t have the experience.’’

“In fact,’’ said Barry, “Younger drivers are a lot safer and better educated but they don’t have the experience.’’

No doubt my son, who passed his test a few months ago, would have done better than me at the ‘recognising road signs’ test, in which I confused an ‘ahead only’ sign with a ‘one way street.’ He knows his Highway Code cover to cover. How many drivers who have been on the road for 30 years or more can say the same?

No doubt my son, who passed his test a few months ago, would have done better than me at the ‘recognising road signs’ test, in which I confused an ‘ahead only’ sign with a ‘one way street.’ He knows his Highway Code cover to cover. How many drivers who have been on the road for 30 years or more can say the same?

No doubt my son, who passed his test a few months ago, would have done better than me at the ‘recognising road signs’ test, in which I confused an ‘ahead only’ sign with a ‘one way street.’ He knows his Highway Code cover to cover. How many drivers who have been on the road for 30 years or more can say the same?

Looking around at my fellow speed awareness students there was a cross section of ages and an even spread of male and female. But younger drivers were in a distinct minority, while the majority were middle agers like myself.

Looking around at my fellow speed awareness students there was a cross section of ages and an even spread of male and female. But younger drivers were in a distinct minority, while the majority were middle agers like myself.

Looking around at my fellow speed awareness students there was a cross section of ages and an even spread of male and female. But younger drivers were in a distinct minority, while the majority were middle agers like myself.

Safety cameras have saved lives by acting as a deterrent. One of the first things our instructors told us was that the majority of the cameras have no film in them but those that do are changed around fairly frequently to keep motorists on their toes.

Safety cameras have saved lives by acting as a deterrent. One of the first things our instructors told us was that the majority of the cameras have no film in them but those that do are changed around fairly frequently to keep motorists on their toes.

Safety cameras have saved lives by acting as a deterrent. One of the first things our instructors told us was that the majority of the cameras have no film in them but those that do are changed around fairly frequently to keep motorists on their toes.

In 2005 West Yorkshire Police mounted a huge road safety campaign and more cameras were put up. This led to a dramatic fall in casualties, but within 12 months the figures were starting to rise again

In 2005 West Yorkshire Police mounted a huge road safety campaign and more cameras were put up. This led to a dramatic fall in casualties, but within 12 months the figures were starting to rise again

In 2005 West Yorkshire Police mounted a huge road safety campaign and more cameras were put up. This led to a dramatic fall in casualties, but within 12 months the figures were starting to rise again

Education is seen to be the way forward rather than punishment. It is hoped that as many as 60,000 drivers a year will take up Speed Awareness Courses in West Yorkshire rather than accept points on their licences.

Education is seen to be the way forward rather than punishment. It is hoped that as many as 60,000 drivers a year will take up Speed Awareness Courses in West Yorkshire rather than accept points on their licences.

Education is seen to be the way forward rather than punishment. It is hoped that as many as 60,000 drivers a year will take up Speed Awareness Courses in West Yorkshire rather than accept points on their licences.

Although I turned out for the course with a sceptical attitude, I came away convinced that there’s a strong argument for making all drivers take some sort of refresher. The course material was pertinent, challenging and well presented. We were not patronised in any way and left with the understanding that perhaps 6mph over the limit is a big deal after all.

Although I turned out for the course with a sceptical attitude, I came away convinced that there’s a strong argument for making all drivers take some sort of refresher. The course material was pertinent, challenging and well presented. We were not patronised in any way and left with the understanding that perhaps 6mph over the limit is a big deal after all.

Although I turned out for the course with a sceptical attitude, I came away convinced that there’s a strong argument for making all drivers take some sort of refresher. The course material was pertinent, challenging and well presented. We were not patronised in any way and left with the understanding that perhaps 6mph over the limit is a big deal after all.

Certainly, since taking the course I’ve thought more about my driving. My journey home from the Days Hotel was a model of textbook driving and carefully observed speed limits.

Certainly, since taking the course I’ve thought more about my driving. My journey home from the Days Hotel was a model of textbook driving and carefully observed speed limits.

Certainly, since taking the course I’ve thought more about my driving. My journey home from the Days Hotel was a model of textbook driving and carefully observed speed limits.

As a journalist I have met the families bereaved by road traffic incidents so I have always known that the greatest and saddest consequence of speeding is not a fine or points on my licence – I just needed a little reminding.

As a journalist I have met the families bereaved by road traffic incidents so I have always known that the greatest and saddest consequence of speeding is not a fine or points on my licence – I just needed a little reminding.

As a journalist I have met the families bereaved by road traffic incidents so I have always known that the greatest and saddest consequence of speeding is not a fine or points on my licence – I just needed a little reminding.